ENGLAND’S “genius” Kevin Pietersen is capable of turning on the magic at any point – and Paul Collingwood will not be surprised if it happens at The Wanderers this week.

If England were able to pick the moment the mercurial Pietersen returns to his best form, it might easily be in the decisive final Test set to start against South Africa tomorrow.

The stakes could hardly be much higher as England bid to convert a hard-fought 1-0 lead into series victory against hosts who must win, and who have made no secret of the fact a”’result” pitch is being prepared.

Pietersen has been short of runs by his own high standards, since starting the series with a 40 and 81 in his first Test back after four months out with an Achilles injury.

Collingwood said: “I think sometimes we look at KP and think he should be doing it every single match – and it’s probably his own downfall that he’s such a good player.

“He’s a kind of genius, and when he goes a couple of games without a score people say he’s in terrible nick.